Megathura crenulata, common name the "great keyhole limpet" or "giant keyhole limpet", is a species of limpet in the family Fissurellidae. [1]
| Megathura crenulata | |
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| Megathura crenulata on the right, and the warty sea cucumber Parastichopus parvimensis on the left | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): | clade Vetigastropoda
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| Superfamily: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | M. crenulata
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| Binomial name | |
| Megathura crenulata G. B. Sowerby I, 1825
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Description
These keyhole limpets are large, growing up to 60-132 mm., and unusually have a shell largely concealed in the tough fleshy mantle[2]
Distribution
They are native to rocky coasts of Southern California to Baja California, Mexico and are found at shallow depths below the low tide line.[3]
Megathura is a monotypic genus, in other words, this is the only species in that genus.
Keyhole limpet hemocyanin
Keyhole limpet hemocyanin from Megathura crenulata is used as vaccine carrier protein.
External links
References
- ^ Rosenberg, G. (2012). Megathura crenulata (Sowerby I, 1825). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=527885 on 2013-01-17
- ^ Megathura crenulata
- ^ Megathura crenulata
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